Although it may seem like an unimportant aspect to a franchise-changing deal for the Celtics, Brooks could turn out to be a major asset for Boston in the years to come.

MarShon Brooks is better than you think

Brooks was drafted out of New England's own Providence College prior to the start of the 2011-2012 season by the Boston Celtics with 25th overall pick, but he was quickly traded to the Nets for JaJuan Johnson, who was also selected in the 2011 draft. In his first season playing for the Nets, Brooks had an outstanding rookie season, scoring an average of 12.6 points per game on 42.8-percent shooting and starting in 47 games.

For his impressive effort, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, along with Derrick Williams, the 2nd overall pick in the draft, and Tristan Thompson, the 4th overall pick.

The 2012-2013 season, however, was a completely different story. Brooks struggled to find playing time on a team suddenly loaded with talent, averaging only 12.5 minutes per game compared to the 29.4 minutes he averaged in his first season. So after a mixed first two seasons, just how good is MarShon Brooks? The numbers suggest he could be quite good and may even become the key player for the Celtics off the bench within the next two seasons.

Brooks' strongest asset is his offensive game. He can score in a variety of ways and is particularly strong around the rim. In 2011-2012, Brooks shot 54.3 percent from within 10 feet of the basket, which surpassed even Paul Pierce, who shot 51.5 percent last year. Brooks also shot a very respectable 37.1 percent from mid-range in 2011-2012, which was only slightly lower than Pierce's 38.9 percent in 2012-2013. Brooks was also very solid in the fourth quarter of games, shooting 42.4 percent from the field two seasons ago; Pierce only managed to shoot 36 percent last season in the same situation.

Brooks should get better

Brooks needs more playing time, and although the Celtics are currently bursting at the seams with shooting guards, the team should make several moves prior to the 2013-2014 trade deadline that will allow Brooks to get his shots in, assuming he is not one of the guards traded. If Brooks does stick around, playing with All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo will greatly improve his offensive productivity.

In 2011-2012, only 18.9 percent of his mid-range shots and 33.3 percent of shots within 10 feet came off of assists, meaning that Brooks had to create the vast majority of his own shots. In the same season, however, 42.1 percent of Paul Pierce's mid-range shots and 51.1 percent of his shots within 10 feet were a result of an assist, a testament to Rajon Rondo's ability to find open players for easy baskets.

If Brooks can take advantage of Rondo's talents, get easier buckets, and develop a stronger defensive skill set under new defensive-minded head coach Brad Stevens, he has an excellent opportunity to be a strong Jason Terry-like sixth man. His development, however, depends largely on a leaner Celtics roster, adding yet another incentive for president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to make roster moves sooner rather than later.

For his first couple seasons in the NBA, MarShon Brookshas been a potentially dynamic scoring guard who doesn’t score quite as well as you would hope.

He didn’t finish all that well at the rim (a mediocre 62 percent in the restricted area) and he shot 32 percent from the midrange and 27 percent from three last season. He’s athletic and strong in transition but struggled to fit into Brooklyn’s halfcourt offense. Plus, he didn’t defend well. He was one dimensional.

His offseason workouts have been geared towards adding strength to help him finish near the rim (he wants to create more off the dribble), and conditioning to help him navigate an 82-game schedule.

“I just have to prove that I can do more than just score, get others involved as well, defend on the other end,” said Brooks. “It’s a great challenge. It’s what the NBA is all about. And I’m excited about my opportunity.”

If he proves he can be steadier from the outside with the threat of the drive, he becomes more effective. He’s also got to get better on defense. The guys ahead of him on the depth chart are better than him in at least one area.

Brooks is just entering his third NBA season, when we often see a jump in productivity as players start to figure out both what they need to do and how to do it at this level. Brooks could be a great get — Boston wanted him as part of the Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce moves, and they got him. Boston is betting on him making that leap.

Brooks is another young numbr one draft pick the Celts got out of the deal. We are loaded at the 2, but it is our weakest link at this time. I hope he will blossom or that Danny can combine all the average 2's we have in a deal to get a excellent 2.. If we had a 2 similar to Ray to go with Rondo, Sullinger, KO, and Green we would be on our way this year to making noise in the playoffs. That is if Rondo plays and is healthy.

Although it may seem like an unimportant aspect to a franchise-changing deal for the Celtics, Brooks could turn out to be a major asset for Boston in the years to come.

MarShon Brooks is better than you think

Brooks was drafted out of New England's own Providence College prior to the start of the 2011-2012 season by the Boston Celtics with 25th overall pick, but he was quickly traded to the Nets for JaJuan Johnson, who was also selected in the 2011 draft. In his first season playing for the Nets, Brooks had an outstanding rookie season, scoring an average of 12.6 points per game on 42.8-percent shooting and starting in 47 games.

For his impressive effort, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, along with Derrick Williams, the 2nd overall pick in the draft, and Tristan Thompson, the 4th overall pick.

The 2012-2013 season, however, was a completely different story. Brooks struggled to find playing time on a team suddenly loaded with talent, averaging only 12.5 minutes per game compared to the 29.4 minutes he averaged in his first season. So after a mixed first two seasons, just how good is MarShon Brooks? The numbers suggest he could be quite good and may even become the key player for the Celtics off the bench within the next two seasons.

Brooks' strongest asset is his offensive game. He can score in a variety of ways and is particularly strong around the rim. In 2011-2012, Brooks shot 54.3 percent from within 10 feet of the basket, which surpassed even Paul Pierce, who shot 51.5 percent last year. Brooks also shot a very respectable 37.1 percent from mid-range in 2011-2012, which was only slightly lower than Pierce's 38.9 percent in 2012-2013. Brooks was also very solid in the fourth quarter of games, shooting 42.4 percent from the field two seasons ago; Pierce only managed to shoot 36 percent last season in the same situation.

Brooks should get better

Brooks needs more playing time, and although the Celtics are currently bursting at the seams with shooting guards, the team should make several moves prior to the 2013-2014 trade deadline that will allow Brooks to get his shots in, assuming he is not one of the guards traded. If Brooks does stick around, playing with All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo will greatly improve his offensive productivity.

In 2011-2012, only 18.9 percent of his mid-range shots and 33.3 percent of shots within 10 feet came off of assists, meaning that Brooks had to create the vast majority of his own shots. In the same season, however, 42.1 percent of Paul Pierce's mid-range shots and 51.1 percent of his shots within 10 feet were a result of an assist, a testament to Rajon Rondo's ability to find open players for easy baskets.

If Brooks can take advantage of Rondo's talents, get easier buckets, and develop a stronger defensive skill set under new defensive-minded head coach Brad Stevens, he has an excellent opportunity to be a strong Jason Terry-like sixth man. His development, however, depends largely on a leaner Celtics roster, adding yet another incentive for president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to make roster moves sooner rather than later.

I agree 100%Marshoon brooks can score and the celtics needs a scorer from the 2 position.He wi;; be around for long time.

Brooks, AB, Lee, Crawford, Bogans -- will be interesting to see which one emerges, and it may change depending on the role requested and not which one is the "best" player.

One of them may emerge as the best complement to Rondo (possibly AB due to his defense and how well he moves wihtout the ball) while another emerges as the best 2nd team option do the better shooting/individual offense alongside Pressey or someother back-up PG. If Rondo is out for the start of the season (or is shipped out to the cheers of some on this board), that then creates another factor for Stevens to incorporate.

It seems to me that Brooks and Lee are the most similar of the group - while Brooks may be a steal in this trade he is also the more moveable asset do to Lee's contract.

As a young player - can't imagine there is a much better situation than an open competition for a starting 2G spot with a new coach and a building team. It is on each of them. Will be interesting.

Its going be very difficult for marshon to get minutes once rondo gets back, especially with a defensive minded coach. Perimeter defense is going to be vital for the celtics becuz they are a small team with no rim protectors.

I believe ab and lee are already more effective 2 way players. They are both better 3pt shooters as well (career ab 34%/lee 38%/ brooks 30% which is important for this team that already lacks threats from deep.